There was a time when a Republican and Democrat could sit across the table from one another. If one of them had a good idea, they would shake hands and say “Let’s get to work on it.”
Of course, they would have their differences. But, they would work on a compromise to come up with the best solution to make sure it was the best for the people they represent.
Recently I had the honor of working for a candidate running on the Republican ticket for state representative for the 32nd district, Kent Calfee.

How do I begin to respond to Rex Galyon’s letter about the paddling of a 5-year-old by Morgan County School administrator Susan Boyd?
There are so many things wrong with this mentality that I don’t know if I can address them all in one letter, but will do my best.
First of all, no one ordered Boyd to use corporal punishment. She alone decided to paddle this student. She judged with what force to hit this small child and how many times to hit him.

Holy cow!
This is serious, folks!
If Mitt Romney wins the election, he promises to cut federal funding for Public Broadcasting System. He said so at the debate with a gleeful smile, as if to say, “I’m the decider! I’m gonna fire Big Bird! You can’t stop me!”
Think about it, folks.
PBS gives quality journalism, great arts programming, educational shows for children and adults, and the support PBS receives (0.012 percent) represents only a tiny sliver of the federal budget.

Roane County Heritage Commission’s 2012 Gala was a huge success, and we want to thank all the businesses and individuals who contributed to that success.
This gala was the first one to take place in the remodeled second-floor courtroom.
Our sponsors include B&W Y-12, Diversified Scientific Services, Oak Ridge Utility District, Roane County Visitors Bureau, UCOR, AT&T, Capstan Tennessee, Griffin Insurance Agency, Holston Gasses, Roane Medical Center, The Rogers Group, Walmart, Kimble Chase, and Citizens National Bank.

As a past participant in the Roane County legal system due to the murder of my daughter 16 years ago, I feel nothing has changed.

In fact, I feel things have moved backwards to the dark ages.

This summer, when Judge Eugene Eblen gave Shawn Smoot — charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brooke Nicole Morris — an opportunity to leave jail on bail, it was indeed a slap in the face of all those past and future women who have and will be murdered in Roane County.

A parallel universe does exist and the proof comes from the Democratic National Convention itself — and the unions in the form of gasp, choke “photo identification.”

In the parallel universe, the Democratic National Convention required members of state delegations to present “approved” photo ID in order to enter the shrine of happiness and joy to vote to include the word “God” in its platform and took three votes to get a yes!

Grandparents Day was celebrated at Harriman Care and Rehabilitation Center. Stories about their grandchildren were told by many.
One of the residents said, “Whatever way you choose to look at it, receiving the miracle of life is a blessing from the Lord.”
Residents agreed that some of the best times of their lives involved spending time with their grandchildren.
A grandchild brings out the “grand” in a grandparent.